A splash of color and positive message are evident in this scene in the Marquette area. (Journal photo by Trinitry Carey)

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The Tourist Park Campground and picnic sites in Marquette will remain closed until May 28 due to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive order.

The city of Marquette announced that any current bookings for dates before May 28 can be canceled or rescheduled for later in the season at the booking party’s choice. Any reservations made after May 28 can be kept for this time. There will be no cancellation fee charged to people who cancel.

The city plans to reopen the Tourist Park Campground when it is permissible under the stay-at-home order, city officials said.

To cancel or reschedule a campsite or picnic booking, email parks@marquettemi.gov or leave a voicemail at 906-228-0460.

Business wins grant

There is some good news for at least one small business located along Washington Street in Marquette.

Revisions Design Studio is among 225 small businesses nationwide receiving $10,000 grants from Verizon as part of the company’s #PayItForward initiative.

“Revisions is very thankful to have been selected as a Verizon grant recipient,” said Michele Dupras, Revisions owner and designer, in an email. “We intend on using this money to sustain our business in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of both our employees and our customers.

“We are honored to have been selected from such a large pool of applicants. It goes to show the overwhelming need amongst small businesses nationwide.”

The $10,000 grants are meant to help small businesses meet payroll, pay rent and cover additional immediate operational needs.

Verizon also recently announced that its total support for small businesses through the program will increase by $2.5 million to a total of $7.5 million.

Over 55,000 small businesses applied to the Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund through LISC, and of the businesses receiving grants, 62% are women-owned, 96% are minority-owned and 12% are veteran-owned, according to Verizon. The grantees are in cities and towns nationwide, with 87% operating in underserved communities that do not have access to flexible, affordable capital.

Flyover today

Aircraft from the Michigan National Guard are scheduled to conduct a series of multi-city flyovers today to show their appreciation to Michigan first responders battling the COVID-19 crisis.

Marquette is one of those cities, with a KC-135 flyover tentatively scheduled for 1:43 p.m. today over Upper Peninsula Health System-Marquette and 1:44 p.m. today over the Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

The 127th Wing, in a Facebook post, urges people to observe the flyovers from their homes and refrain from traveling, plus maintain social distancing.

It also is holding a Michigan Strong Flyover photo contest. People are asked to capture their best photos of the event and submit them through the 127th Wing’s Facebook page’s private messenger for a chance to win squadron patches and a signed photograph. After all submissions are turned in, it will choose a winner and create an album sharing entrants’ photos.

MTU outlines plan

A team from Michigan Tech University, at a Monday virtual town hall meeting, presented a three-step plan for a return to on-campus operations and a safe, on-time, in-person start to the fall semester. The plan will be implemented under state mandates as well as health and safety protocols by the MTU Flex Task Force.

The first step introduces limited campus operations to test systems designed to safeguard the campus and protect the most vulnerable. MTU expects a limited return of employees to campus, with remote work remaining mandatory for most employees.

The second step allows additional employees to return to campus. The library and some retail services are expected to slowly reopen as well. Remote work will be encouraged where and when effective, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations.

The third step is expected to begin around Aug. 17. The campus will resume to near-normal operations under social distancing protocols prescribed by the state. Remote work, though, still will be encouraged for vulnerable populations.

Executive orders

extended

Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2021-81 to replace her previous order that temporarily lifts weight and other delivery-related restrictions for vehicles carrying essential supplies.

The order extends until May 25 provisions lifting local and state non-seasonal food restrictions as well as other restrictions on the timing and loading of deliveries; for deliveries that meet immediate needs for medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; and other critical supplies, equipment and personnel.

Whitmer also has signed Executive Order 2020-80, which continues to allow certain state administrative hearings to be held by video conferencing or phone in place of in-person meetings.

The order continues to permit the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Unemployment Insurance Agency and other administrative hearings to be held in this manner. It also temporarily allows e-signatures in place of written signatures on related documents.

The order is effective through June 8.

Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.